Hip surgery

Dr Gifford trained using multiple approaches to the hip for surgery. 

Treatments

  • Direct anterior hip replacement

  • Minimally invasive surgery

  • Computer assisted surgery

  • Revision hip surgery

  • Abductor repair and reconstruction

  • PRP injections

Direct Anterior Hip Surgery

A personal audit of cases confirmed the patients receiving a direct anterior approach went home 1 day earlier. The advantages of anterior hip surgery:

  • Less trauma to large gluteal muscles and less inflammation

  • Less post-op pain medication

  • Faster independence from assistance (research suggests off crutches or walker device 5-7 days sooner)

  • Simple use intra-operative medical imaging and computer assistance

  • No post-op hip precautions

Potential disadvantages

  • The wound is closer to groin, this skin is thin and closer to abdomen. However, an anterior wound allows patient to lie on their side post-operatively

  • Variable lateral thigh numbness, the skin sensation may be altered to lateral thigh for a variable period of time